The newly-opened level three ICU is a 14-bed unit located on the second floor of the F wing at our KW Site, 835 King Street West in Kitchener. We offer specialized care in a state-of-the-art facility, built as part of the hospital’s patient care development project.Intensive care is appropriate for patients requiring or likely to require advanced medical and technological support for disorders affecting the lungs, and other major organ systems.

Patients who are medically unstable have the potential to benefit from the intensive diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, including physician and nursing care, which are unique to this setting.

Visiting hours We encourage you to visit. When your loved one first arrives in the ICU, we will need to take care of any immediate needs. It may be some time before you can visit. We know that waiting can be stressful but we ask for your patience. You are very important in the care and recovery of your loved one. We will update you as soon as possible and let you know when you can visit.

Please do not visit if you are feeling unwell or coughing. ICU patients are at risk of getting infections. If you must visit, we will assist you with wearing a mask.

To maintain confidentiality and privacy for all patients, visiting is discouraged during the following times:

During shift changes and team rounds: 7 am to 11 am, and 7 pm to 8 pm daily.

During procedures and tests. This could happen at any time during the day or night.

During patient care activities, your visits may be delayed or interrupted.

We will work with patients and family members who request special visiting considerations. Please speak to the nurse to discuss your visiting plans and needs.

Should children visit? Children who are close to the patient may benefit from visiting. A well-planned and supported visit may help a child cope and feel more secure. Parents are generally the best judge of whether a child is ready to visit. If you have concerns, please speak with the care team so that we can support you.

What can I do to help?Valuables and patient belongings: Please take patient valuables and belongings home with you. We may ask to bring personal items such as slippers, a toothbrush, and hygiene items for your loved one to use.

Honouring wishes: If you have spoken to your loved one about what they would, or would not want regarding medical care, please let us know. They may need someone - substitute decision maker (SDM) to make decisions about their care. The SDM will be asked to make decisions that reflect the patient’s wishes. Social work, spiritual care and an ethics committee are available at the hospital for support with these difficult decisions.

It is important to follow your loved ones wishes, not what you or others think is best. If the patient has a “Power of Attorney” or “Living Will”, document please bring in copies so that we can review them and attach them to the care chart.

We encourage you to read some of the intensive care links that we have available below: